Postgraduate Course: The Origins of Synthetic Biology (PGBI11116)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | If Synthetic Biology is broadly defined as a 'particular fusion of biology and engineering concerned with the design and construction of molecules, biological systems and organisms for useful purposes', this begs the question of how did this new discipline arise? What are its origins? The primary objective of this course is therefore to trace the origins of synthetic biology back to their source, in the hope that new practitioners of synthetic biology will gain insight, enthusiasm and perspective on their developing science. |
| Course description |
The course will take the form of open and discursive lecture/seminars on the scientific history of genetics and molecular biology, particularly emphasising those aspects which appear to anticipate altering existing genomes and designing improved species. This was and remains a controversial area, with recurrent themes and arguments which must be understood in a context.
A Brief Introduction to Scientific History.
Early Theories of Heredity and the work of Gregor Mendel.
Defining Mendel's Factors: Cells, Chromosomes, Genes and the Birth of Genetics.
Finding the right organism to work with: Bacteria, Neurospora, Phage and the Origins of Molecular Biology.
Structural Biology, Biochemistry and the other Origins of Molecular Biology.
The Double Helix and All That: The Golden Age of Molecular Biology.
The Genetic Code and Controlling the Flow of Heritable Information in Cells.
Cloning, Genetic Engineering and the Birth of Synthetic Biology.
Fear of Cloning: What was the 1973 Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA about and what were its consequences?
Milestones and Possible Directions in the Short History of Synthetic Biology
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 30 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
78 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Course essay (70%)«br /»
Student-led seminar sessions (30%) |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Have a deeper understanding of the scientific basis of the synthetic biology project.
- Will be introduced to analytic scientific history.
- Will acquire a desirable knowledge base, which may be helpful in subsequent career and business decision-making.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Enhanced scientific analysis skills.
Deeper understanding of the scientific discovery process.
Insight into the thought processes of individuals who had interesting ideas.
Exposure to the ethical and political debates about all forms of 'genetic manipulation' of human and animal germlines and genomes.
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| Keywords | Synthetic Biology,Genetics |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr David Arnot
Tel: (0131 6)50 5503
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Andrea Nichol
Tel: (0131 6)50 8643
Email: |
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